GMC partners with Singapore's KKH to establish Bhutan's first IVF centre
Gelephu Mindfulness City Authority has partnered with Singapore's KK Women's and Children's Hospital to establish Bhutan's first IVF centre, strengthening specialised healthcare services in the country.
The Gelephu Mindfulness City Authority (GMCA) has signed an agreement with KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) in Singapore to support the establishment of an in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) centre in Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC). The centre is expected to provide advanced fertility services to patients from Bhutan and across the region.
The agreement was signed virtually by Dasho Dr. Lotay Tshering, Governor of GMC, and Associate Professor Chan Yoke Hwee, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of KKH.
Singapore hospital to provide technical expertise
Under the agreement, KKH will serve as the technical advisor for the project. The hospital will guide clinical training, facility design, and laboratory development as GMC expands its health and wellbeing services.
KKH is one of Asia's largest women's and children's hospitals and operates Singapore's largest IVF Centre.
Its support will focus on five key areas:
- Training for IVF clinicians
- Nursing attachments
- Embryology and andrology laboratory training
- Facility design advisory
- Sustainable healthcare advisory
Building advanced reproductive healthcare in Bhutan
"This partnership reflects His Majesty's deep understanding of the evolving science and needs in the field of next-generation longevity and regenerative medicine," said Dasho Dr. Lotay Tshering, Governor of GMC. "Our collaboration with KKH will help us offer these services at par with any such centre in the world."
KKH will provide its consultancy services free of charge on a non-exclusive basis. The support will be delivered in phases and will include feasibility studies, facility layouts, standard operating procedures, training curricula, equipment guidance, and advisory reports.
Associate Professor Chan Yoke Hwee, CEO, KKH, said, “Advancing healthcare begins with shared learning. We are honoured to support the development of Bhutan's very first IVF centre. KKH looks forward to working alongside the GMCA team, fostering global advances in women and child health.”
Roles and next steps
GMCA will oversee candidate selection, scholarships, tendering, and construction of the IVF centre.
The partnership builds on the Singapore-Bhutan Article Six Implementation Agreement, signed in February 2025, which established a framework for healthcare cooperation between the two countries.
The collaboration marks another step in GMC's plans to develop specialised healthcare services as part of its broader vision to become a regional centre for health, wellbeing, and innovation.
